Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ottawa RedBlacks (-6)
Sunday, November 22: 1:05 PM ET
Hamilton had fewer net yards, more turnovers, and less time of possession than Toronto did last week… and won. Not to take anything from the Ti-Cats’ East Semi-Final victory, but a similar output this week is unlikely yield the same result. Hamilton rushed for more yardage (151) than it passed for against Toronto (148), a ratio of offensive production that will be hard to reproduce against an Ottawa defence that finished first against the run this season. The RedBlacks also were also the East Division’s best team at home in 2015 (7-2) and have long-since sold out this game. Though there’s always a chance Henry Burris comes out flat, I think the RedBlacks are a safe pick to win this contest. Give me Ottawa by a touchdown.
Pick straight-up: Ottawa
Pick against the spread: Ottawa
Calgary Stampeders at Edmonton Eskimos (-2)
Sunday, November 22: 4:35 PM ET
The Stampeders’ season-long offensive line injury woes continued last week when they lost starting centre Pierre Lavertu and starting left guard Shane Bergman to lower body injuries. The Stamps fared reasonably well against a tame Lion front seven in the absence of Lavertu and Bergman — the fact that Calgary had already amassed a sizeable lead when the injuries occurred helped — but against Chris Jones’ blitz happy defensive unit, I’d hate to be Bo Levi Mitchell come Sunday. With the raucous Commonwealth crowd behind them, I foresee the Esks shaking off the rust of the double bye week to punch their ticket to the Grey Cup. Give me Edmonton by ten.
Pick straight-up: Edmonton
Pick against the spread: Edmonton
Season record straight-up: 49-34
Season record against the spread: 45-37-1
John Hodge, Blue Bomber Talk
Twitter: @BlueBomberTalk
Email: [email protected]
